Method for encoding and decoding images, encoding and decoding device, and corresponding computer programs

ABSTRACT

A method for encoding an image having been cut up into partitions. The method includes: predicting data of a current partition based on an already encoded and then decoded reference partition, generating a predicted partition; determining residual data by comparing data relating to the current partition with the predicted partition, the residual data associated with various digital data items. Prior producing a signal containing the encoded information, performing the following steps; determining, from the predetermined residual data, a subset containing residual data capable of being modified; calculating the value of a function representative of the residual data; comparing the calculated value with a value of at least one of the digital data items; based on the comparison, modification or non-modification of at least one of the residual data items of the subset; and, in the event of a modification, entropy encoding the at least one modified residual data item.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Section 371 National Stage Application of International Application No. PCT/FR2012/052552, filed Nov. 6, 2012, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety and published as WO 2013/068684 on May 16, 2013, not in English.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of image processing, and more specifically to the encoding and decoding of digital images and of sequences of digital images.

The invention can thus, in particular, be applied to the video encoding implemented in current video encoders (MPEG, H.264, etc) or future ones (ITU-T/VCEG (H.265) or ISO/MPEG (HEVC)).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Current video encoders (MPEG, H.264, etc) use a representation by blocks of the video sequence. The images are split into macroblocks, each macroblock is itself split into blocks and each block, or macroblock, is encoded by intra image or inter image prediction. Thus, some images are encoded by spatial prediction (intra prediction), while other images are encoded by temporal prediction (inter prediction) with respect to one or more reference encoded-decoded images, with the aid of a motion compensation known by the person skilled in the art.

For each block, there is encoded a residual block, also called prediction residue, corresponding to the original block reduced by a prediction. The residual blocks are transformed by a transform of the discrete cosine transform (DCT) type, then quantized using, for example, a scalar type quantization. Coefficients, some of which are positive and others negative, are obtained at the end of the quantization step. They are then scanned in a generally zigzag read order (as in the JPEG standard), thereby providing for exploiting the significant number of zero coefficients in the high frequencies. At the end of the aforementioned scan, a one-dimensional list of coefficients is obtained, which will be called “quantized residue”. The coefficients of this list are then encoded by an entropy encoding.

The entropy encoding (for example of the arithmetic coding or Huffman coding type) is carried out as follows:

-   -   an information item is entropically encoded in order to indicate         the position of the last non-zero coefficient in the list,     -   for each coefficient located before the last non-zero         coefficient, an information item is entropically encoded in         order to indicate whether or not the coefficient is zero,     -   for each non-zero coefficient indicated previously, an         information item is entropically encoded in order to indicate         whether or not the coefficient is equal to one,     -   for each coefficient that is not zero and not equal to one, and         located before the last non-zero coefficient, an amplitude         information item (absolute value of the coefficient, which value         is reduced by two) is entropically encoded,     -   for each non-zero coefficient, the sign assigned to it is         encoded by a ‘0’ (for the + sign) or a ‘1’ (for the − sign).

According to the H.264 technique for example, when a macroblock is split into blocks, a data signal, corresponding to each block, is transmitted to the decoder. Such a signal comprises:

-   -   the quantized residues contained in the abovementioned list,     -   information items representative of the encoding mode used, in         particular:         -   the prediction mode (intra prediction, inter prediction,             default prediction producing a prediction for which no             information is transmitted to the decoder (called “skip”);         -   information specifying the type of prediction (orientation,             reference image, etc);         -   the type of partitioning;         -   the type of transform, for example 4×4 DCT, 8×8 DCT, etc;         -   the motion information if necessary;         -   etc.

The decoding is performed image by image, and for each image, macroblock by macroblock. For each partition of a macroblock, the corresponding elements of the stream are read. The inverse quantization and the inverse transformation of the coefficients of the blocks are performed to produce the decoded prediction residue. Then, the prediction of the partition is calculated and the partition is reconstructed by adding the prediction to the decoded prediction residue.

The intra or inter encoding by competition, as implemented in the H.264 standard, thus relies on placing various encoding information items, such as those mentioned above, in competition with the aim of selecting the best mode, i.e. the one which will optimize the encoding of the partition in question according to a predetermined performance criterion, for example the rate distortion cost that is well known to the person skilled in the art.

The information items representative of the encoding mode selected are contained in the data signal transmitted by the encoder to the decoder. The decoder is thus capable of identifying the encoding mode selected at the encoder, then applying the prediction that conforms with this mode.

The document “Data Hiding of Motion Information in Chroma and Luma Samples for Video Compression”, J.-M. Thiesse, J. Jung and M. Antonini, International workshop on multimedia signal processing, 2011, presents a data hiding method implemented during a video compression.

More specifically, it is proposed to avoid including in the signal to be transmitted to the decoder at least one competition index as issued from a plurality of competition indexes to be transmitted. Such an index is for example the index MVComp which represents an information item for identifying the motion vector predictor used for a block predicted in inter mode. Such an index which can take the value 0 or 1 is not included directly in the signal of encoded data items, but transported by the parity of the sum of the coefficients of the quantized residue. An association is created between the parity of the quantized residue and the index MVComp. By way of example, an even value of the quantized residue is associated with the index MVComp of value 0, while an odd value of the quantized residue is associated with the index MVComp of value 1. Two cases can arise. In a first case, if the parity of the quantized residue already corresponds to that of the index MVComp which is desired to be transmitted, the quantized residue is encoded conventionally. In a second case, if the parity of the quantized residue is different from that of the index MVComp which is desired to be transmitted, the quantized residue is modified such that its parity is the same as that of the index MVComp. Such a modification involves incrementing or decrementing one or more coefficients of the quantized residue by an odd value (e.g. +1, −1, +3, −3, +5, −5 etc) and retaining only the modification which optimizes a predetermined criterion, in this case the previously mentioned rate distortion cost.

At the decoder, the index MVComp is not read in the signal. The decoder is satisfied simply with conventionally determining the residue. If the value of this residue is even, the index MVComp is set to 0. If the value of this residue is odd, the index MVComp is set to 1.

In accordance with the technique that has just been presented, the coefficients which undergo the modification are not always chosen optimally, such that the modification applied brings about disturbances in the signal transmitted to the decoder. Such disturbances are inevitably detrimental to the effectiveness of the video compression.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for encoding at least one image split into partitions, such a method implementing the steps of:

-   -   prediction of data items of a current partition as a function of         at least one reference partition already encoded then decoded,         delivering a predicted partition;     -   determination of a set of residual data items by comparison of         data items relating to the current partition and the predicted         partition, the residual data items being associated respectively         with various digital information items which are intended to         undergo an entropy encoding,     -   generation of a signal containing the encoded information items.

The method according to the invention is notable in that it implements, prior to the signal generation step, the following steps:

-   -   determination, from the determined set of residual data items,         of a subset containing residual data items suitable for being         modified,         -   calculation of the value of a function representative of the             residual data items of said determined subset,         -   comparison of the calculated value with a value of at least             one of the digital information items,         -   depending on the result of the comparison, modification or             no modification of at least one of the residual data items             of the subset.         -   in the event of modification, entropy encoding of the at             least one modified residual data item.

Such an arrangement provides for applying a data hiding technique on a reduced set of residual data items, in which set the residual data items are suitable for being modified.

According to the invention, the expression “residual data items suitable for being modified” is understood to mean data items for which the application of a modification does not bring about desynchronization between the encoder and the decoder.

Thus, in accordance with the invention, the residual data items which are intended to undergo a modification are selected much more reliably than in the previously cited prior art, thereby providing for obtaining a better quality of reconstruction of the image at the decoder.

Moreover, the possibility of modifying a reduced number of residual data items provides for accelerating the encoding.

In a particular embodiment, the steps which follow the step for determining the subset of residual data items are implemented only if a predetermined criterion, dependent on the residual data items suitable for being modified, is met.

Such an arrangement additionally enables the encoder to decide in a rational manner whether or not it is appropriate to apply a data hiding technique. Such a decision step has the advantage of being applied only on the reduced set of residual data items suitable for being modified. It is thus ensured that the data hiding technique is applied much more appropriately than in the previously cited prior art, in particular on a better chosen number of residual data items, for which it is certain that once these data items are modified, the disturbance of the signal generated by such a modification will not have a negative impact on the quality of the reconstruction of the image at the decoder.

In another particular embodiment, the predetermined decision criterion is dependent on the result of a comparison between the number of residual data items suitable for being modified and a predetermined number.

Such an arrangement provides for improving the compression performance of the arithmetic encoder while effectively reducing the signaling cost. Specifically, this arrangement provides for precisely detecting the number of residual data items from which it is judicious to apply the data hiding technique without the latter bringing about high disturbance levels in the signal to be transmitted to the decoder.

In yet another particular embodiment, if a plurality of digital information items is considered during the comparison step, the latter entails comparing the calculated value of a function representative of the residual data items of the determined subset with the value of a function representative of the plurality of digital information items.

Such an arrangement provides for optimizing the compression performance of the arithmetic encoder while optimizing the reduction in the signaling cost, since it provides for hiding several digital information items in the signal to be transmitted to the decoder.

In yet another particular embodiment, the at least one digital information item corresponds to the sign of a residual data item.

The sign is a particularly relevant information item to be hidden due to the fact that the probability of appearance of a positive or negative sign is equiprobable. As such, given that a sign is necessarily encoded on one bit, it is thus possible, by hiding this information, to economize one bit in the signal to be transmitted to the decoder, thereby substantially reducing the signaling cost. The reduction in such a cost will be all the more higher when it is possible according to the invention to hide a plurality of signs, and therefore a plurality of bits.

Correlatively, the invention relates also to a device for encoding at least one image split into partitions, such a device comprising:

-   -   means of prediction of data items of a current partition as a         function of at least one reference partition already encoded         then decoded, delivering a predicted partition,     -   means of determination of a set of residual data items suitable         for comparing data items relating to the current partition and         the predicted partition, the residual data items being         associated respectively with various digital information items         which are intended to undergo an entropy encoding,     -   means of generation of a signal containing the encoded         information items.

Such an encoding device is notable in that it comprises, upstream of the generation means, processing means which are able to:

-   -   determine, from the determined set of residual data items, a         subset containing residual data items suitable for being         modified,     -   calculate the value of a function representative of the residual         data items of the determined subset,     -   compare the calculated value with a value of at least one of the         digital information items,     -   modify or not modify at least one of the residual data items of         the determined subset, depending on the result of the         modification,         as well as means for the entropy encoding of the at least one         modified residual data item, in the event of modification by the         processing means.

In a corresponding way, the invention relates also to a method for decoding a data signal representative of at least one image split into partitions which has been previously encoded, comprising a step for obtaining, by the entropy decoding of data of the signal, digital information items associated with residual data items relating to at least one previously encoded partition.

Such a decoding method is notable in that it comprises the following steps:

-   -   determination, from the residual data items, of a subset         containing residual data items able to have been modified during         a previous encoding,     -   calculation of the value of a function representative of the         residual data items of said determined subset,     -   obtaining of the value of at least one digital information item         that is different from those obtained by entropy decoding, from         the calculated value.

In a particular embodiment, the steps which follow the step for determining the subset of residual data items are implemented only if a predetermined criterion, dependent on the residual data items able to have been modified, is met.

In another particular embodiment, the predetermined decision criterion is dependent on the result of a comparison between the number of residual data items able to have been modified and a predetermined number.

In yet another particular embodiment, a plurality of values associated respectively with a plurality of digital information items that are different from those obtained by entropy decoding is obtained from said calculated value.

In yet another particular embodiment, the at least one digital information item corresponds to the sign of a residual data item.

Correlatively, the invention relates also to a device for decoding a data signal representative of at least one image split into partitions which has been previously encoded, comprising means for obtaining, by the entropy decoding of data items of the signal, digital information items associated with residual data items relating to at least one previously encoded partition.

Such a decoding device is notable in that it comprises processing means which are able to:

-   -   determine, from said residual data items, a subset containing         residual data items able to have been modified during a previous         encoding,     -   calculate the value of a function representative of the residual         data items of the determined subset,     -   obtain the value of at least one digital information item that         is different from those obtained by entropy decoding, from the         calculated value.

The invention relates also to a computer program including instructions for the execution of the steps of the encoding or decoding method above, when the program is executed by a computer.

Such a program can use any programming language and be in the form of source code, object code or a code intermediate between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form or in any other desirable form.

Yet another subject of the invention is a recording medium readable by a computer and including instructions of a computer program as mentioned above.

The recording medium can be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, such a medium can include a storage means such as a ROM, for example a CD-ROM or a microelectronic circuit ROM, or a magnetic recording means, for example a floppy disk or a hard disk.

On the other hand, such a recording medium can be a transmittable medium such as an electrical or optical signal, which can be conveyed via an electrical or optical cable, via radio or via other means. The program according to the invention can in particular be downloaded over an Internet type network.

Alternatively, such a recording medium can be an integrated circuit in which the program is incorporated, the circuit being adapted to execute the method in question or to be used in the execution of the latter.

The encoding device, the decoding method, the decoding device and the computer programs mentioned above exhibit at least the same advantages as those provided by the encoding method according to the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages will become clear upon reading about two preferred embodiments described with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 represents the main steps of the encoding method according to the invention,

FIG. 2 represents an embodiment of an encoding device according to the invention,

FIG. 3 represents the main steps of the decoding method according to the invention,

FIG. 4 represents an embodiment of a decoding device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ENCODING PART

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, in which the encoding method according to the invention is used to encode a sequence of images according to a binary stream close to that obtained by an encoding according to the H.264/MPEG-4 AVC standard. In this embodiment, the encoding method according to the invention is for example implemented in software or hardware form by modifications of an encoder initially compliant with the H.264/MPEG-4 AVC standard. The encoding method according to the invention is represented in the form of an algorithm including steps C1 to C40, represented in FIG. 1.

According to the embodiment of the invention, the encoding method according to the invention is implemented in an encoding device or encoder CO, an embodiment of which is represented in FIG. 2.

In accordance with the invention, prior to the actual encoding step, an image IE of a sequence of images to be encoded in a predetermined order is split into a plurality Z of partitions B₁, B₂, . . . , B_(i), . . . , B_(Z), as represented in FIG. 2.

It is appropriate to note that in the sense of the invention, the term “partition” means coding unit. This latter terminology is notably used in the HEVC/H.265 standard being drafted, for example in the document accessible at the following Internet address: http://phenix.int-evry.fr/jct/doc_end_user/current_document.php?id=3286

In particular, such a coding unit groups together sets of rectangular or square shape pixels, also called blocks, macroblocks, or sets of pixels exhibiting other geometric shapes.

In the example represented in FIG. 2, said partitions are blocks which have a square shape and are all the same size. Depending on the size of the image, which is not necessarily a multiple of the size of the blocks, the last blocks to the left and the last blocks at the bottom are able to not be square-shaped. In an alternative embodiment, the blocks can be for example of rectangular size and/or not aligned with one another.

Each block or macroblock can moreover be itself divided into subblocks which are themselves subdividable.

Such splitting is performed by a partitioning module PCO represented in FIG. 2 which uses for example a partitioning algorithm that is well known as such.

Following said splitting step, each of the current partitions B_(i) (where i is an integer such that 1≦i≦Z) of said image IE is encoded.

In the example represented in FIG. 2, such an encoding is applied successively to each of the blocks B₁ to B_(Z) of the current image IE. The blocks are encoded for example according to a scan such as the raster scan, which is well known to the person skilled in the art.

The encoding according to the invention is implemented in an encoding software module MC_CO of the encoder CO, as represented in FIG. 2.

During a step C1 represented in FIG. 1, the encoding module MC_CO of FIG. 2 selects as current block B_(i) the first block B₁ to be encoded of the current image IE. As represented in FIG. 2, this is the first lefthand block of the image IE.

During a step C2 represented in FIG. 1, the predictive encoding of the current block B₁ by known intra and/or inter prediction techniques is carried out, during which predictive encoding the block B₁ is predicted with respect to at least one previously encoded and decoded block. Such a prediction is carried out by a prediction software module PRED_CO as represented in FIG. 2.

Needless to say other intra prediction modes as proposed in the H.264 standard are possible.

The current block B₁ can also be subjected to a predictive encoding in inter mode, during which the current block is predicted with respect to a block from a previously encoded and decoded image. Other types of prediction can of course be envisaged. Among the predictions possible for a current block, the optimal prediction is chosen according to a rate distortion criterion that is well known to the person skilled in the art.

Said abovementioned predictive encoding step provides for constructing a predicted block Bp₁ which is an approximation of the current block B₁. The information items relating to this predictive encoding are intended to be included in a signal to be transmitted to the decoder. Such information items comprise notably the type of prediction (inter or intra), and if necessary, the intra prediction mode, the type of partitioning of a block or macroblock if the latter has been subdivided, the reference image index and the motion vector which are used in the inter prediction mode. These information items are compressed by the encoder CO.

During a next step C3 represented in FIG. 1, the prediction module PRED_CO compares the data items relating to the current block B₁ with the data items of the predicted block Bp₁. More specifically, during this step, conventionally the predicted block Bp₁ is subtracted from the current block B₁ to produce a residual block Br₁.

During a next step C4 represented in FIG. 1, the residual block Br₁ is transformed according to a conventional direct transform operation such as for example a DCT type discrete cosine transform, to produce a transformed block Bl₁. Such an operation is executed by a transform software module MT_CO, as represented in FIG. 2.

During a next step C5 represented in FIG. 1, the transformed block Bt₁ is quantized according to a conventional quantization operation, such as for example a scalar quantization. A block Bq₁ of quantized coefficients is then obtained. Such a step is executed by means of a quantization software module MQ_CO, as represented in FIG. 2.

During a next step C6 represented in FIG. 1, the quantized coefficients of the block Bq₁ are scanned in a predefined order. In the example represented, this is a conventional zigzag scan. Such a step is executed by a read software module ML_CO, as represented in FIG. 2. At the end of step C6, a one-dimensional list E₁=(ε1, ε2, . . . , εL) of coefficients is obtained, more commonly known as “quantized residue”, where L is an integer greater than or equal to 1. Each of the coefficients in the list E₁ is associated with different digital information items which are intended to undergo an entropy encoding. Such digital information items are described below by way of example.

Assume that in the example represented, L=16 and that the list E₁ contains the following sixteen coefficients: E₁=(0, +9, −7, 0, 0, +1, 0, −1, +2, 0, 0, +1, 0, 0, 0, 0).

In this particular case:

-   -   for each coefficient located before the last non-zero         coefficient in the list E₁, a digital information item, such as         a bit, is intended to be entropically encoded to indicate         whether or not the coefficient is zero: if the coefficient is         zero, it is for example the bit of value 0 which will be         encoded, while if the coefficient is not zero, it is the bit of         value 1 which will be encoded;     -   for each non-zero coefficient +9, −7, +1, −1, +2, +1, a digital         information item, such as a bit, is intended to be entropically         encoded to indicate whether or not the absolute value of the         coefficient is equal to one: if it is equal to 1, it is for         example the bit of value 1 which will be encoded, while if it is         not equal to 1, it is the bit of value 0 which will be encoded;     -   for each non-zero coefficient and for which the absolute value         is not equal to one and which is located before the last         non-zero coefficient, such as the coefficients of value +9, −7,         +2, an amplitude information item (absolute value of the         coefficient at which the value two is subtracted) is         entropically encoded;     -   for each non-zero coefficient, the sign assigned to it is         encoded by a digital information item, such as a bit for example         set to ‘0’ (for the + sign) or set to ‘1’ (for the − sign).

With reference to FIG. 1, the specific encoding steps according to the invention will now be described.

In accordance with the invention, it is decided to avoid entropically encoding at least one of the abovementioned information items. For the reasons explained earlier in the description, in a preferred embodiment, it is decided to not entropically encode at least one sign of one of said coefficients in the list E₁.

By way of alternative example, it could notably be decided to entropically encode the least significant bit of the binary representation of the amplitude of the first non-zero coefficient in said list E₁.

To this end, during a step C7 represented in FIG. 1, the number of signs to hide during the later entropy encoding step is chosen. Such a step is executed by a processing software module MTR_CO, as represented in FIG. 2.

In the preferred embodiment, the number of signs to be hidden is one or zero. Additionally, in accordance with said preferred embodiment, it is the sign of the first non-zero coefficient which is intended to be hidden. In the example represented, it is therefore the sign of the coefficient ε2=+9 that is hidden.

In an alternative embodiment, the number of signs to be hidden is either zero, one, two, three or more.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of step C7, during a first substep C71 represented in FIG. 1, a sublist SE₁ containing coefficients suitable for being modified, ε′1, ε′2, . . . , ε′M where M<L, is determined from said list E₁. Such coefficients will be called modifiable coefficients hereafter in the description.

According to the invention, a coefficient is modifiable if the modification of its quantized value does not cause desynchronization at the decoder, once this modified coefficient is processed by the decoder. Thus, the processing module MTR_CO is configured initially to not modify:

-   -   the zero coefficient or coefficients located before the first         non-zero coefficient such that the decoder does not affect the         value of the sign hidden at this or these zero coefficients,     -   and for reasons of computation complexity, the zero coefficient         or coefficients located after the last non-zero coefficient.

In the example represented, at the end of substep C71, the sublist SE₁ obtained is such that SE₁=(9,−7,0,0,1,0,−1,2,0,0,1). Consequently, eleven modifiable coefficients are obtained.

During a next substep C72 represented in FIG. 1, the processing module MTR_CO proceeds with the comparison of the number of modifiable coefficients with a predetermined threshold TSIG. In the preferred embodiment, TSIG has the value 4.

If the number of modifiable coefficients is less than the threshold TSIG, then during a step C20 represented in FIG. 1, a conventional entropy encoding of the coefficients in the list E₁ is carried out, such as that performed for example in a CABAC encoder, denoted by the reference CE_CO in FIG. 2. To this end, the sign of each non-zero coefficient in the list E₁ is entropically encoded.

If the number of modifiable coefficients is greater than the threshold TSIG, then during a step C8 represented in FIG. 1, the processing module MTR_CO calculates the value of a function f which is representative of the coefficients in the sublist SE₁.

In the preferred embodiment in which only one sign is intended to be hidden in the signal to be transmitted to the decoder, the function f is the parity of the sum of the coefficients in the sublist SE₁.

During a step C9 represented in FIG. 1, the processing module MTR_CO checks whether the parity of the value of the sign to be hidden corresponds to the parity of the sum of the coefficients in the sublist SE₁, according to a convention defined beforehand at the encoder CO.

In the example proposed, said convention is such that a positive sign is associated with a bit of value equal to zero, while a negative sign is associated with a bit of value equal to one.

If, in accordance with the convention adopted in the encoder CO according to the invention, the sign is positive, which corresponds to an encoding bit value of zero, and if the sum of the coefficients in the sublist SE₁ is even, then step C20 for the entropy encoding of the coefficients in the aforementioned list E₁ is carried out, with the exception of the sign of the coefficient ε2.

If, still in accordance with the convention adopted in the encoder CO according to the invention, the sign is negative, which corresponds to an encoding bit value of one, and if the sum of the coefficients in the sublist SE₁ is odd, then also step C20 for the entropy encoding of the coefficients in the aforementioned list E₁ is carried out, with the exception of the sign of the coefficient ε2.

If, in accordance with the convention adopted in the encoder CO according to the invention, the sign is positive, which corresponds to an encoding bit value of zero, and if the sum of the coefficients in the sublist SE₁ is odd, then during a step C10 represented in FIG. 1, at least one modifiable coefficient in the sublist SE₁ is modified.

If, still in accordance with the convention adopted in the encoder CO according to the invention, the sign is negative, which corresponds to an encoding bit value of one, and if the sum of the coefficients in the sublist SE₁ is even, then also at step C10, at least one modifiable coefficient in the sublist SE₁ is modified.

Such a modification operation is carried out by the processing module MTR_CO in FIG. 2.

In the example embodiment in which SE₁=(+9,−7,0,0,+1,0,−1,+2,0,0,+1), the total sum f of the coefficients is equal to 5, and is therefore odd. In order that the decoder can reconstruct the positive sign assigned to the first non-zero coefficient ε2=+9, without the encoder CO having to transmit this coefficient to the decoder, the parity of the sum must become even. Consequently, the processing module MTR_CO tests, during said step C10, various modifications of coefficients in the sublist SE₁, all aiming to change the parity of the sum of the coefficients. In the preferred embodiment, +1 or −1 is added to each modifiable coefficient and a modification is selected from among those which are carried out.

In the preferred embodiment, such a selection forms the optimal prediction according to a performance criterion which is for example the rate distortion criterion that is well known to the person skilled in the art. Such a criterion is expressed by equation (1) below:

J=D+λR  (1)

where D represents the distortion between the original macroblock and the reconstructed macroblock, R represents the encoding cost in bits of the encoding information items and λ represents a Lagrange multiplier, the value of which can be fixed prior to the encoding.

In the example proposed, the modification which brings about an optimal prediction according to the abovementioned rate distortion criterion is the addition of the value 1 to the second coefficient −7 in the sublist SE₁.

At the end of step C10, a modified sublist is hence obtained. SEm₁=(+9,−6,0,0,+1,0,−1,+2,0,0,+1).

It is appropriate to note that during this step, certain modifications are prohibited. Thus, in the case in which the first non-zero coefficient ε2 would have the value +1, it would not have been possible to add −1 to it, since it would have become zero, and it would then have lost its characteristic of first non-zero coefficient in the list E₁. The decoder would then have later attributed the decoded sign (by calculation of the parity of the sum of the coefficients) to another coefficient, and there would then have been a decoding error.

During a step C11 represented in FIG. 1, the processing module MTR_CO carries out a corresponding modification of the list E₁. The next modified list Em₁=(0,+9,−6,0,0,+1,0,−1,+2,0,0,+1,0,0,0,0) is then obtained.

Then step C20 for the entropy encoding of the coefficients in the aforementioned list Em₁ is carried out, with the exception of the sign of the coefficient ε2, which is the + sign of the coefficient 9 in the proposed example, which sign is hidden in the parity of the sum of the coefficients.

It is appropriate to note that the set of amplitudes of the coefficients in the list E₁ or in the modified list Em₁ is encoded before the set of signs, with the exclusion of the sign of the first non-zero coefficient ε2 which is not encoded, as has been explained above.

During a next step C30 represented in FIG. 1, the encoding module MC_CO in FIG. 2 tests whether the current encoded block is the last block of the image IE.

If the current block is the last block of the image IE, then during a step C40 represented in FIG. 1, the encoding method is ended.

If this is not the case, the next block 8, is selected, which is then encoded in accordance with the order of the previously mentioned raster scan, by repeating steps C1 to C20, for 1≦i≦Z.

Once the entropy encoding of all the blocks B₁ to B_(Z) is carried out, a signal F is constructed, representing, in binary form, said encoded blocks.

The construction of the binary signal F is implemented in a stream construction software module CF, as represented in FIG. 2.

The stream F is then transmitted via a communication network (not represented) to a remote terminal. The latter includes a decoder which will be described further in detail later in the description.

There will now be described, mainly with reference to FIG. 1, another embodiment of the invention.

This other embodiment is distinguished from the previous one only by the number of coefficients to be hidden which is either 0, or N, where N is an integer such that N≧2.

To this end, previously mentioned comparison substep C72 is replaced by substep C72 a represented in dotted-line in FIG. 1, during which the number of modifiable coefficients is compared with several predetermined thresholds 0<TSIG_1<TSIG_2<TSIG_3 . . . , in such a way that if the number of modifiable coefficients is between TSIG_N and TSIG_N+1, N signs are intended to be hidden.

If the number of modifiable coefficients is less than the first threshold TSIG_1, then during abovementioned step C20, conventional entropy encoding of the coefficients in the list E₁ is carried out. To this end, the sign of each non-zero coefficient in the list E₁ is entropically encoded.

If the number of modifiable coefficients is between the threshold TSIG_N and TSIG_N+1, then during a step C8 represented in FIG. 1, the processing module MTR_CO calculates the value of a function f which is representative of the coefficients in the sublist E₁.

In this other embodiment, since the decision at the encoder is to hide N signs, the function f is the modulo 2^(N) remainder of the sum of the coefficients in the sublist SE₁. It is assumed in the proposed example that N=2, the two signs to be hidden being the two first signs of the two first non-zero coefficients respectively, i.e. ε2 and ε3.

During next step C9 represented in FIG. 1, the processing module MTR_CO verifies whether the configuration of the N signs, i.e. 2^(N) possible configurations, corresponds to the value of the modulo 2^(N) remainder of the sum of the coefficients in the sublist SE₁.

In the example proposed where N=2, there are 2²=4 different configurations of signs.

These four configurations comply with a convention at the encoder CO, which convention is for example determined as follows:

-   -   a remainder equal to zero corresponds to two consecutive         positive signs: +, +;     -   a remainder equal to one corresponds to, consecutively, a         positive sign and a negative sign: +, −;     -   a remainder equal to two corresponds to, consecutively, a         negative sign and a positive sign: −, +;     -   a remainder equal to three corresponds to two consecutive         negative signs: −, −.

If the configuration of N signs corresponds to the value of the modulo 2^(N) remainder of the sum of the coefficients in the sublist SE₁, then step C20 for the entropy encoding of the coefficients in the abovementioned list E₁ is carried out, with the exception of the sign of the coefficient ε2 and of the coefficient ε3, which signs are hidden in the parity of the modulo 2^(N) sum of the coefficients.

If this is not the case, then step C10 for modifying at least one modifiable coefficient in the sublist SE₁ is carried out. Such a modification is executed by the processing module MTR_CO in FIG. 2 in such a way that the modulo 2^(N) remainder of the sum of the modifiable coefficients in the sublist SE₁ attains the value of each of the two signs to be hidden.

During previously mentioned step C11, the processing module MTR_CO carries out a corresponding modification of the list E₁. A modified list Em₁ is hence obtained.

Then step C20 for the entropy encoding of the coefficients in the aforementioned list Em₁ is carried out, with the exception of the sign of the coefficient ε2 and the sign of the coefficient ε3, which signs are hidden in the parity of the modulo 2^(N) sum of the coefficients.

Detailed Description of the Decoding Part

An embodiment of the decoding method according to the invention will now be described, in which the decoding method is implemented in software or hardware form by modifications of a decoder initially compliant with the H.264/MPEG-4 AVC standard.

The decoding method according to the invention is represented in the form of an algorithm including steps D1 to D12, represented in FIG. 3.

According to the embodiment of the invention, the decoding method according to the invention is implemented in a decoding device or decoder DO, as represented in FIG. 4.

During a preliminary step not represented in FIG. 3, in the received data signal F, the partitions B₁ to B_(Z) which have been encoded previously by the encoder CO, are identified. In the preferred embodiment, said partitions are blocks which have a square shape and are all the same size. Depending on the size of the image, which is not necessarily a multiple of the size of the blocks, the last blocks to the left and the last blocks at the bottom are able to not be square-shaped. In an alternative embodiment, the blocks can be for example of rectangular size and/or not aligned with one another.

Each block or macroblock can moreover be itself divided into subblocks which are themselves subdividable.

Such an identification is executed by a stream analysis software module EX_DO, as represented in FIG. 4.

During a step D1 represented in FIG. 3, the module EX_DO in FIG. 4 selects as current block B_(i) the first block B₁ to be decoded. Such a selection consists for example in placing a read pointer in the signal F at the start of the data items of the first block B₁.

Then the decoding of each of the selected encoded blocks is carried out.

In the example represented in FIG. 3, such a decoding is applied successively to each of the encoded blocks B₁ to B_(Z). The blocks are decoded for example according to a raster scan, which is well known to the person skilled in the art.

The decoding according to the invention is implemented in a decoding software module MD_DO of the decoder DO, as represented in FIG. 4.

During a step D2 represented in FIG. 3, first the entropy decoding of the first current block B₁ which has been selected is carried out. Such an operation is carried out by an entropy decoding module DE_DO represented in FIG. 4, for example of the CABAC type. During this step, the module DE_DO carries out an entropy decoding of the digital information items corresponding to the amplitude of each of the encoded coefficients in the list E₁ or in the modified list Em₁. At this stage, only the signs of the coefficients in the list E₁ or in the modified list Em₁ are not decoded.

During a step D3 represented in FIG. 3, the number of signs capable of having been hidden during previous entropy encoding step C20 is determined. Such a step D3 is executed by a processing software module MTR_DO, as represented in FIG. 4. Step D3 is similar to previously mentioned step C7 for determining the number of signs to be hidden.

In the preferred embodiment, the number of hidden signs is one or zero. Additionally, in accordance with said preferred embodiment, it is the sign of the first non-zero coefficient which is hidden. In the example represented, it is therefore the positive sign of the coefficient ε2=+9.

In an alternative embodiment, the number of hidden signs is either zero, one, two, three or more.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of step D3, during a first substep D31 represented in FIG. 3, a sublist containing coefficients ε′1, ε′2, . . . , ε′M where M<L which are capable of having been modified at the encoding is determined from said list E₁ or from the modified list Em₁.

Such a determination is performed the same way as in previously mentioned encoding step C7.

Like the previously mentioned processing module MTR_CO, the processing module MTR_DO is initially configured to not modify:

-   -   the zero coefficient or coefficients located before the first         non-zero coefficient,     -   and for reasons of computation complexity, the zero coefficient         or coefficients located after the last non-zero coefficient.

In the example represented, at the end of substep D31, there is the sublist SEm₁ such that SEm₁=(9, −6, 0, 0, 1, 0, −1, 2, 0, 0, 1). Consequently, eleven coefficients capable of having been modified are obtained.

During a next substep D32 represented in FIG. 3, the processing module MTR_DO proceeds with the comparison of the number of coefficients capable of having been modified with a predetermined threshold TSIG. In the preferred embodiment, TSIG has the value 4.

If the number of coefficients capable of having been modified is less than the threshold TSIG, then during a step D4 represented in FIG. 3, a conventional entropy decoding of all the signs of the coefficients in the list E₁ is carried out. Such a decoding is executed by the CABAC decoder, denoted by the reference DE_DO in FIG. 4. To this end, the sign of each non-zero coefficient in the list E₁ is entropically decoded.

If the number of coefficients capable of having been modified is greater than the threshold TSIG, then during said step D4, a conventional entropy decoding of all the signs of the coefficients in the list Em₁ is carried out, with the exception of the sign of the first non-zero coefficient ε2.

During a step D5 represented in FIG. 3, the processing module MTR_DO calculates the value of a function f which is representative of the coefficients in the sublist SEm₁ so as to determine whether the calculated value is even or odd.

In the preferred embodiment where only one sign is hidden in the signal F, the function f is the parity of the sum of the coefficients in the sublist SEm₁.

In accordance with the convention used at the encoder CO, which is the same at the decoder DO, an even value of the sum of the coefficients in the sublist SEm₁ means that the sign of the first non-zero coefficient in the modified list Em₁ is positive, while an odd value of the sum of the coefficients in the sublist SEm₁ means that the sign of the first non-zero coefficient in the modified list Em₁ is negative.

In the example embodiment in which SEm₁=(+9,−6,0,0,+1,0,−1,+2,0,0,+1), the total sum of the coefficients is equal to 6, and is therefore even. Consequently, at the end of step D5, the processing module MTR_DO deduces therefrom that the hidden sign of the first non-zero coefficient 2 is positive.

During a step D6 represented in FIG. 3, and with the aid of all the reconstructed digital information items during steps D2, D4 and D5, the quantized coefficients of the block Bq₁ are reconstructed in a predefined order. In the example represented, this is an inverse zigzag scan with respect to the zigzag scan carried out during previously mentioned encoding step C6. Such a step is executed by a read software module ML_DO, as represented in FIG. 4. More specifically, the module ML_DO proceeds to include the coefficients of the list E₁ (one-dimensional) in the block Bq₁ (two-dimensional), using said inverse zigzag scan order.

During a step D7 represented in FIG. 3, the quantized residual block Bq₁ is dequantized according to a conventional dequantization operation which is the inverse operation of the quantization performed at previously mentioned encoding step C5, in order to produce a decoded dequantized block BDq₁. Such a step is executed by means of a dequantization software module MDQ_DO, as represented in FIG. 4.

During a step D8 represented in FIG. 3, the inverse transformation of the dequantized block BDq₁ is carried out, which is the inverse operation of the direct transformation performed at the encoding at previously mentioned step C4. A decoded residual block BDr₁ is hence obtained. Such an operation is executed by an inverse-transform software module MTI_DO, as represented in FIG. 4.

During a step D9 represented in FIG. 3, the predictive decoding of the current block B₁ is carried out. Such a predictive decoding is conventionally carried out by known intra and/or inter prediction techniques, during which the block B₁ is predicted with respect to the at least one previously decoded block. Such an operation is carried out by a predictive decoding module PRED_DO as represented in FIG. 4.

Needless to say other intra prediction modes as proposed in the H.264 standard are possible.

During this step, the predictive decoding is carried out using decoded syntax elements at the previous step and notably comprising the type of prediction (inter or intra), and if necessary, the intra prediction mode, the type of partitioning of a block or macroblock if the latter has been subdivided, the reference image index and the motion vector which are used in the inter prediction mode.

Said abovementioned predictive decoding step provides for constructing a predicted block Bp₁.

During a step D10 represented in FIG. 3, the decoded block BD₁ is constructed by adding the decoded residual block BDr₁ to the predicted block Bp₁. Such an operation is executed by a reconstruction software module MR_DO represented in FIG. 4.

During a step D11 represented in FIG. 3, the decoding module MD_DO tests whether the current decoded block is the last block identified in the signal F.

If the current block is the last block in the signal F, then during a step D12 represented in FIG. 3, the decoding method is ended.

If this is not the case, the next block B_(i) is selected, to be decoded in accordance with the order of the previously mentioned raster scan, by repeating steps D1 to D10, for 1≦i≦Z.

There will now be described, mainly with reference to FIG. 3, another embodiment of the invention.

This other embodiment is distinguished from the previous one only by the number of hidden coefficients which is either 0, or N, where N is an integer such that N≧2.

To this end, previously mentioned comparison substep D32 is replaced by substep D32 a represented in dotted-line in FIG. 3, during which the number of coefficients capable of having been modified is compared with several predetermined thresholds 0<TSIG_1<TSIG_2<TSIG_3 . . . , in such a way that if the number of said coefficients is between TSIG_N and TSIG_N+1, N signs have been hidden.

If the number of said coefficients is less than the first threshold TSIG_1, then during previously mentioned step D4, the conventional entropy decoding of all the signs of the coefficients in the list E₁ is carried out. To this end, the sign of each non-zero coefficient in the list E₁ is entropically decoded.

If the number of said coefficients is between the threshold TSIG_N and TSIG_N+1, then during previously mentioned step D4, the conventional entropy decoding of all the signs of the coefficients in the list E₁ is carried out, with the exception of the N respective signs of the first non-zero coefficients in said modified list Em₁, said N signs being hidden.

In this other embodiment, the processing module MTR_DO calculates, during step D5, the value of the function f which is the modulo 2^(N) remainder of the sum of the coefficients in the sublist SEm₁. It is assumed in the proposed example that N=2.

The processing module MTR_DO hence deduces therefrom the configuration of the two hidden signs which are assigned to each of the two first non-zero coefficients ε2 and ε3 respectively, according to the convention used at the encoding.

Once these two signs have been reconstructed, steps D6 to D12 described above are carried out.

It goes without saying that the embodiments which have been described above have been given purely by way of indication and are not at all limiting, and that a number of modifications can easily be brought about by the person skilled in the art without thereby departing from the scope of the invention.

Thus for example, according to a simplified embodiment with respect to that represented in FIG. 1, the encoder CO could be configured to hide at least N′ predetermined signs, where N≧1, instead of either zero, one or N predetermined signs. In that case, comparison step C72 or C72 a would be removed. In a corresponding way, according to a simplified embodiment with respect to that represented in FIG. 3, the decoder DO would be configured to reconstruct N′ predetermined signs instead of either zero, one or N predetermined signs. In that case, comparison step D32 or D32 a would be removed.

Additionally, the decision criterion applied at encoding step C72 and at decoding step D32 could be replaced by another type of criterion. To this end, instead of comparing the number of modifiable coefficients or the number of coefficients capable of having been modified with a threshold, the processing module MTR_CO or MTR_DO could apply a decision criterion which is a function of the sum of the amplitudes of the coefficients that are modifiable or capable of having been modified, respectively, or of the number of zeros present among the coefficients that are modifiable or capable of having been modified, respectively. 

1. (canceled)
 2. A non-transitory computer-readable medium for storing data representing a sign-data-hiding enabled block of an image, comprising: a bitstream written in the non-transitory computer-readable medium, the bitstream comprising: a set of entropy encoded coefficients representing a set of coefficients of a residual block of the sign-data-hiding enabled block, the set of coefficients including a particular non-zero coefficient that is without a sign designation; and an information item representing a prediction mode of the sign-data-hiding enabled block, wherein remainder data, which is based on an operation representing a division between a sum of non-zero coefficients in the set of coefficients and a specific number, is used to designate a sign for the particular non-zero coefficient, wherein the residual block of the sign-data-hiding enabled block is a difference between an original block and a prediction block generated based on the prediction mode, and wherein the set of coefficients of the residual block is transformed and entropy encoded to generate the set of entropy encoded coefficients.
 3. A method for encoding a sign-data-hiding enabled partition of an image, the method comprising: deriving a set of coefficients of a residual block of the image based on an original block and a prediction block; transforming the set of coefficients of the residual block to generate a transformed set of coefficients; calculating a sum of non-zero coefficients in the transformed set of coefficients of the residual block; determining a parity of the sum of non-zero coefficients based on a remainder of the sum divided by a specific number; determining whether the parity corresponds to a sign of a first coefficient in the transformed set of coefficients of the residual block that is to be hidden; conditioned on determining that the parity does not correspond to the sign to be hidden, modifying a non-zero coefficient in the transformed set of coefficients of the residual block; and entropy encoding the transformed set of coefficients of the residual block including all the non-zero coefficients and sign information of all the non-zero coefficients of the residual block, except a sign information of the first coefficient. 